Newsletter - 2 June 2022
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
God created each of us as a unique person with different gifts and talents and asks us each to fully use the talents we have been given. While we all have different talents and gifts we also have different tasks to do in God’s kingdom. For one it may be to nurture the young people in our community, for another it may be to tend to the elderly. All that God expects is that we make the most of our gifts and talents and that we use them for good. When we use our gifts in community the possibilities are endless:
Poet Michael Quoist wrote
If each note of music were to say “one note does not make a symphony,” there would be no symphony;
If each word were to say “one word does not make a book,” there would be no book;
If each brick were to say “one brick does not make a wall,” there would be no house;
If each seed were to say “one grain does not make a field of corn,” there would be no harvest;
If each of us were to say “one act of love cannot save mankind,” there would never be justice and peace on earth.
To have an impact you must get involved.
All that God expects is that we do our best and try to be the best that we can be and to treat each other with kindness and love. This means that we need to respect each other. Mutual respect is at the basis of our Emmanuel community. Respect and faith nourish each other and give birth to many skilful actions. The tone of caring that arises from respect can transform how we interact with each other.
This year we have witnessed our children explore the possibilities of service, of taking an active role in seeing what needs doing and lending our energies to those endeavours. The children are using their gifts to help the works of Caritas. They show compassion for those less fortunate than themselves. They have shown us how to discover our gifts and how best to use these gifts for the good of all.
Lord, help us always to make good use of the gifts we are given – to love You, to serve all and to build Your kingdom on earth.
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
The season of Easter concludes with the feast of Pentecost. At Pentecost,
fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead and ten days after He ascended into
Heaven, we remember and celebrate that the Holy Spirit descended upon
the Apostles. Their hearts were filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and they
went out to continue the work that Jesus had started and commissioned them
to do. Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church.
Acts 2:1-11
The Spirit comes to the Apostles as tongues of fire.
1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
The Spirit of God dwells in us.
John 20:19-23
Jesus promises the disciples the Paraclete.
Holy Spirit Rock (based on Galatians 5:22-23) by Michael Mangan
For weekly Gospel readings, reflections and meditations go to http://www.prayasyoucan.com.au/
Download this week’s parish bulletin @ https://rok.catholic.net.au/parish/mackay-st-josephs/#
For Parish News, updates and to book for weekend Masses go to the Catholic Parishes of North Mackay and Farleigh Facebook page.
MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
Mary was there from the very beginning, for the birth of Jesus and at the ‘birth’ of the Church.
The Monday after Pentecost, is the Memorial Feast of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. This feast day, instituted by Pope Francis, was announced and celebrated for the first time in 2018.
God, Father of mercies,
whose Only Begotten Son, as he hung upon the Cross,
chose the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother,
to be our Mother also,
Grant, we pray, that with her loving help
your Church may be more fruitful day by day
and, exulting in the holiness of her children,
may draw to her embrace all the families of the peoples.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Last week, Bishop Michael McCarthy Confirmed a large number of our students in special celebrations at St Joseph’s Church.
Confirmation, the second of the Sacraments of Initiation, completes Baptism. Through the Laying on of Hands, Renewal of Baptismal Promises and the Anointing with Chrism, candidates were sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and called to become involved in the life and mission of the church.
It was wonderful to have Bishop Michael here to lead these celebrations. A big THANK YOU to Fr Stephen, Fr James, the parents and families of these students and the Sacramental team for guiding and supporting them throughout their preparation.
Please continue to keep these students in your prayers as some of them prepare to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time in July.
RECONCILIATION WEEK
National Reconciliation Week is a time to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The theme of Reconciliation Week this year is “Be Brave. Make Change.”
Yesterday the whole school participated in our own Walk for Reconciliation. It was a great way to mark Reconciliation Week and to remind our students that reconciliation needs to be fostered every day; it is about respectful relationships and everyone working together for a better future.
PEER SUPPORT
Last Friday our Peer Support groups met to investigate what Kindness looks like, sounds like and feels like. They discovered that Kindness is a superpower that we all have and can share with others. The students worked together to create a Human Kindness Chain. Tomorrow’s activities will focus on ‘Choices’.
EMMANUEL’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA
It will take place in the playground between the library and Year Two/Prep building at 10:30am. Please bring a chair or rug and morning tea to share with your children.
REMEMBER: It is a free dress day and all students parents and staff are encouraged to wear pink, blue, yellow or black and to bring a gold coin donation.
Lots of children have been buying and wearing cancer awareness badges this week. Badges ($2.00), Balloons ($2.00) and Keyrings ($3.00) will be on sale tomorrow.
VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – POSITIVITY
“Believe you can and you're halfway there.” (Theodore Roosevelt)
Positivity means thinking in an optimistic way, looking for solutions and expecting good results and success. It is a happy and worry-free state of mind, which looks at the bright side of life. A positive attitude is one of joy, love and inspiration. It is choosing constructive feelings and emotions and acting with purpose and determination. If you have a positive attitude you avoid negative and unhappy feelings and thoughts.
The most important thing you will ever wear is your attitude. (Jeff Moore)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
APA News
HERO FOR HEARTKIDS AWARENESS DAY
On Friday, 17 June, students are invited to come to school dressed up as a superhero to help raise awareness for the real heroes, the children and families who are impacted by congenital or childhood acquired heart disease. HeartKids is a national not-for-profit organisation who supports and advocates for all people impacted by childhood heart disease.
Students are welcome to make a gold coin donation in their classroom on this day.
MACKTOWN SHOWDOWN
Yesterday, Emmanuel welcomed the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes who competed against some of our Year Five and Six students. This Macktown Showdown was an entertaining and action-packed event that provided ample entertainment for our enthusiastic audience. We were super proud of our players and audience and thank Mackay Basketball for allowing us to host such a wonderful event. We look forward to a rematch in the future.
Karla Falzon
Acting Assistant Principal Administration
Curriculum Corner
SEMESTER ONE REPORT CARDS
A reminder to parents to please check that you can sign into Parent Lounge prior to reports being released next week. If you have any queries, please contact our school office.
Report cards will once again be available through Parent Lounge from 4:00pm on Thursday, 23 June.
- To access Parent Lounge, open your internet browser and type in the URL for Emmanuel Catholic Primary School website: ecps.qld.edu.au
- Click on Parent Lounge under Quick Links.
- Click on the Parent Lounge icon.
- Login with your unique ID number and the password remains the same as previously used.
The goal of the reporting process is to support student learning progress by providing parents and carers with clear, individualised information about:
- the learning expectations for the student
- the student’s achievement against expected standards
- how well the student is engaging with expected learning
- progress that has been made since the last reporting period
- strengths that the student has demonstrated and areas of challenge that may require more attention
- ‘next steps’ that will help the student improve.
The semester report is one part of a feedback loop, along with regular and consistent written and verbal communication such as on-going feedback on tasks, parent-teacher interviews, and daily opportunities for parents to discuss questions and concerns with teachers. The report reflects an on-balance judgement about the quality of student learning, based on evidence collected during the reporting period.
ICAS ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENTS FOR YEAR 5 AND YEAR 6 STUDENTS
We are delighted to inform you that Emmanuel Catholic Primary School will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS AssessmentsTM this year.
ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies.
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised.
We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year. The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment, that has been running for 40 years. Your child will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision.
ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to online assessments. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results.
Learn more about ICAS here: https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas
Parent payment system
Our school has signed up for the ICAS Assessments parent payment system (PPS) for Maths and English for Year 5 and 6 students only. Through this system parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at our school. Please use the following details to register your child no later than Friday 29 July.
Access details for parents
Your school access code is: | SHQ744 |
Your parent page link is: |
These assessments will take place during the weeks of:
- ICAS English Monday 15 August to Friday 19 August (Term 3 Week 6)
- ICAS Maths Monday 29 August to Friday 2 September (Term 3 Week 8)
Specific dates and times will be confirmed after registration depending on number of students involved.
Please email Janine Refalo (janine_refalo@rok.catholic.edu.au) once you have registered and paid for your child’s participation, to confirm that I have received notification confirming your child’s registration.
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
Strategic Priorities 2022
Playground After School Rules
At the closure of the school day, all students are required to move immediately to the Pickup Zone. Students who are going to After School Care or walking /riding home are required to be on their way as soon as they are released from class.
The Pickup Zone is supervised by teachers. Other areas of the school are not supervised after school. Our school’s Prep Adventure Playground is out of bounds before and after school. Any play areas within the school must be supervised by staff members.
We ask parents to ensure that their children are not on this equipment before and/or after school. Our school rules must be adhered to by all students at all times. Students should not be running around or playing after school whilst waiting for parents. Parents who collect their child after school and remain on school grounds are reminded that their children are under their supervision during this time. We ask all parents to please adhere to these rules and thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
COVID Update
Principal's Awards
Sports News
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL TRIAL AFTERNOONS
This year, the Emmanuel Athletics Carnival will be held over two days. Tuesday, 14 June will be a half day of field events in the afternoon for students who are 9 years and over. Wednesday, 15 June will be our full day carnival, which involves all students of Emmanuel.
Last week eligible students nominated themselves for field events, with trials commencing last Friday, 27 May. It was a wonderful afternoon to witness! Prep, Year Two and Year Three students who turn eight this year, along with their teachers, commenced learning ball games which they will compete in on the 15 June. Field event trials ran parallel to the ball game activities, with a high level of team spirit and peer encouragement being heard across the grounds. These Friday preparation and trial afternoons will occur each week in the lead up to the carnival, with the field event finals being held across both Tuesday and Wednesday of the carnival.
A carnival programme will be released closer to the event.
Term 2 School Fee Statements
Term Two school fees are now overdue. We would like to thank those families who have paid. However if you have not paid your account, it would be appreciated if you could do so immediately. If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact Therese in the finance office.
Lost Property
We have a large amount of lost property located in front of the office. Please have your child check the lost property box if you are missing any items before the end of Term 2.
Some items listed in photos below:
Tuckshop News
Our very busy Tuckshop is in need of more volunteers urgently due to work commitments and general sickness in the community. At this point we have no one on our emergency list to cover volunteers who become unavailable. Please phone the office if you can help.
We are also seeking help on the night of the school disco (3 June), to serve drinks & light snacks from the Tuckshop.
Please Note: It is imperative that volunteers DO NOT attend tuckshop if they are unwell, have anyone at home who is unwell or have been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19. Proof of vaccination is required (Queensland Government mandate).
Angie & Carly
Tuckshop
Notices
SURVEY OF BICYCLE AND SCOOTER USE IN SCHOOLS
Dear Parents / Carers and staff,
In partnership with Arup and Zwart Transport Planning, the Department of Transport and Main Roads is gathering insights from parents/ carers and staff about bicycle and scooter parking at schools across Queensland. The Queensland Department of Education and Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton has granted permission for schools to be involved in the research.
If you would like to contribute your experiences and assist in improving bicycle/scooter parking at schools, we invite you to complete the following online survey by Friday, 24 June 2022.
Survey on bicycle parking in Queensland schools (for parents/carers and school staff) (office.com)
COLLECTING STUDENTS FOR APPOINTMENTS
If your child has an appointment during the school day, please email their classroom teacher to inform them about the appointment and expected collection time.
When collecting your child, please allow enough time to sign them out and for them to arrive at the office. It is important to keep in mind that students are not always in their classroom and may take longer to make their way to the office if their teacher is unaware of the arrangements.
Whenever possible, ensure your child knows the time of their appointment. Phone calls to classrooms take the time of office staff and are disruptive to student learning and need to be kept to a minimum.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Community News
Mackay Show Association Sugarcane Schedule